US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo last month announced the two-day conference starting Wednesday, saying that foreign ministers from around the world would come to Poland to take up the “destabilizing influence” of Iran in the Middle East.
But the United States and Poland stated the conference is not focused on Iran or on building a coalition against it, but rather looking more broadly at the Middle East.
Even though the meeting takes place in the European Union, major European powers are sending low-level representation with the exception of British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, who signaled that he primarily wants to address the humanitarian crisis triggered by the Saudi-led offensive in Yemen.
The countries that are sending top officials to Warsaw are pushing for a tough line on Iran, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Arab allies of the United States such as the United Arab Emirates.
Yet the United States is also expected in Warsaw to offer hints of its proposals for peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
Trump’s son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner, who has been putting final touches on a “deal of the century,” will make a rare speaking appearance on Thursday.
